My second exploration of Cheerful Theme Park finally came to an end.
And….
The research team in charge was turned upside down.
Exploration Results:
Out of 12 personnel deployed, 8 returned.
Two of the returnees ended the exploration within the scheduled time, but six were found in the meeting room where the board game began on the 6th day of exploration.
Confirmed one employee showing symptoms of complete contamination (mask transformation) among them. Transferred to Fox Counseling Room.
Confirmed witness accounts of the deaths of 3 out of the 4 who did not return. All were individuals who picked the red piece; the head of one was carried by a survivor but lost in the Yellow Zone.
Additional Special Note 1) Visual appraisal of the collected Dream Essence Liquid determined it to be of higher quality than existing samples. Similar to A-Class essence.
Additional Special Note 2) Many of the exploration staff who returned on the 6th day testified to working as theme park employees. They claimed to have received items from the gift shop as wages.
They say it went through a persistent verification process that would have been organized that way if it were Wiki.
It was literally an irregular case because the exploration period had increased sixfold, yet the essence grade was one level higher.
And there was only one variable for this irregular.
‘Me.’
The employee from the Security Team's Special Division.
However, appearing as a ghost story creature or something contaminated, I was able to scare the research team and smoothly escape the interview hell to return home.
-Excuse me! I'm really grateful, if I want to buy you a meal, where should I contact….
-A-Assistant Manager!! You can't!
…In that process, Assistant Manager Lee Seonghae thankfully tried to make a friendly gesture toward me, but she was even blocked by a researcher.
‘It was actually a relief.’
Since there's no way to contact me in the first place.
Because all of this was just a disguise created by Director Ho.
And….
I had to meet that very Director Ho, a boss more persistent and terrifying than the research team, before going home.
-You must have gone through so much trouble, Soleum!
As soon as I took off the Security Team suit, I checked my empty right arm and the Dokkaebi Flame, which had returned to its lantern-form.
The Dokkaebi Flame seemed terrified, its lantern-form completely frozen.
Director Ho looked at it intently with a strange curve at the corners of his eyes, but fortunately, he did not take the Dokkaebi Flame away.
Instead, looking at the Security Team suit I had taken off, he said:
-Wow! It seems the Security Team uniform was influenced in an interesting way while traveling with you through this darkness, Soleum.
-Even without that, it's quite an interesting outfit, isn't it? I'll extend the rental period a bit more. Since opportunities to use it might arise in the future as well.
I nodded obediently to that.
The atmosphere was such that refusal wouldn't be tolerated anyway. I was in a position where I had to say something unfortunate. Namely….
-By the way, do you happen to know the whereabouts of Mr. Jang Heowoon?
Whew.
-He was an employee deployed alongside you to assist you, Soleum. I'm not sure if you put him to good use.
…I told only the truth.
That an agent from the Disaster Management Bureau suddenly entered, and Jang Heowoon, whose identity was discovered, was eventually taken away by the Disaster Management Bureau under the pretext of rescue.
-…Oh dear!
Director Ho's reaction was thoroughly superficial.
‘…I thought he’d be angry.’
-But Director, since it wasn't discovered that Mr. Heowoon is an employee of Daydream Inc., he should be able to continue his spy duties.
-Aha, is that so?
The excuse disguised as my deduction, that ‘Jang Heowoon would be unable to move for a while due to undergoing tests for contamination during the rescue process,’ seemed to have worked.
…For now, at least.
-Then, was Mr. Jang Heowoon’s Dream Collector recovered? The research team was making a fuss, saying A-Class essence was collected in this exploration.
-…Unfortunately, it was destroyed during the recovery process to prevent it from falling into the hands of the Disaster Management Bureau.
Actually, that's not true.
I destroyed it.
To cover up the flaws in this logic… just before escaping the theme park, I recovered the Dream Collector Jang Heowoon had and crushed it into the shape of a supply Mascot.
If Jang Heowoon had it and was caught by the Bureau, it would be no different from a spy certification.
On the other hand, if the collector was left inside the ghost story, it would be automatically sent back to the company, and Director Ho might have figured out exactly what state Jang Heowoon was in because of the recorded data.
Destruction was the only answer.
-That's unfortunate. Usually, the person in charge pays for the destruction of a collector with points… Ah, that's right. Since this was a special situation for work, I'll try to smooth it over on my end!
-…Yes. Thank you.
-Haha, it's not like I'm doing you a favor, Soleum!
Fortunately, Director Ho let it slide reasonably well.
I thought there might be an uproar because the collected liquid was high-grade, but surprisingly, he himself didn't seem particularly obsessed with the high grade of the liquid.
‘…That's strange.’
Anyway, since A-Class is A-Class, I thought I should check both myself and my Elite Team Collector… but it was difficult right now.
…Because as soon as I reached my bed after going through all this, I collapsed and slept until the next morning.
‘I really thought I was going to die.’
The only comfort was that I slept straight through without waking up, perhaps because I was so exhausted.
And to put this another way….
…It means my six days off evaporated just like that.
This morning.
As soon as I opened my eyes, I went to work at the Disaster Management Bureau…….
Ugh.
“Whoa, it's been a while. The cold-hearted MZ Grapes who didn't even call once during his break...”
Agent Choi, who was entering the Hyunmoo Team 1 waiting room with an Americano in hand, stopped short when he saw me.
“Did you go training on some mountain during your break? You're all skin and bones! Hey, hey, Jaekwan. Right?”
“Huh?”
Agent Bronze, who was frowning as his boss pulled his arm and pointed at me, also stopped in confusion when he actually saw me.
“…Did something happen?”
I managed to reply.
“I… couldn't… sleep well….”
“…….”
“…….”
It was the truth.
Because I had worked day and night as a mascot in a ruined resort for six days and five nights….
Agent Choi and Agent Bronze briefly looked at each other, then as if they had reached a silent agreement, they quickly approached me and sat on the nearby sofa.
“Couldn't you rest well?”
I looked at them with a clumsy expression without a word.
Ryu Jaekwan asked cautiously.
“I heard you didn't come to recharge the Dokkaebi lantern during your leave. …Are you okay?”
Ah.
“Yes. I'm fine…. I think I forgot because there was no need for it.”
“…….”
Whew.
For the record, the Dokkaebi Flame barely regained its energy after I coaxed and soothed it.
It seemed like some problem had occurred from being suppressed by the energy of the mascot, but when it received a recharge while I was coming to work this morning, it returned to my arm and seemed to have regained its original cheerfulness.
Although, if I even mention the Security Team suit, it seems like it would tremble and give a vigorous thumbs down.
“I'm sorry. Even though you were kind enough to let me use my annual leave.”
“That was something Grapes could use anyway, wasn't it?”
Agent Choi's playful attitude vanished completely as he continued in a relaxed tone.
“Hmm… Grapes-ie. You know, the Bureau operates a hot spring with good water at Seoraksan. Shall we all go there together on your next day off? The facilities are decent for employee welfare.”
“…….”
Going to a hot spring with my coworkers?
…But realizing what that hot spring was, I quickly nodded.
I did want to see the Disaster Management Bureau's welfare facilities at least once.
“Yeah. Good choice. …Man, you still have some motivation!”
“…?!”
Agent Choi ruffled my hair and patted my back.
“Originally, when you rest after working hard, you can suddenly get sick all at once. Both in body and mind.”
“…….”
“But you still made it to work right on time. Well done.”
I only came because I didn't want to get caught being a spy….
Besides, after experiencing a Daydream Inc. style ghost story this time, I realized anew that Disaster Management Bureau ghost stories are like angels in comparison…….
Of course, I couldn't say that, so I just nodded.
“Thank you.”
And I spent the waiting time leaning against the sofa….
Other than trying hard not to show my horror while refusing Agent Choi's invitation to play a board game, there were no special occurrences.
Fortunately, there were no calls either.
And in the afternoon after lunch.
“Agent Grapes!”
I met Ms. Go Yeongeun from the New Investigation Unit, who had visited with some documents.
“Did you hear about that? The, Agent Hwagak from Jujak Team 2… who worked with you, Agent Grapes.”
Ah.
Ms. Go Yeongeun didn't know about the theme park incident yet, but she seemed to have grasped Jang Heowoon’s condition through another route.
“…No. It's my first time hearing about it. What happened….”
The expression on Yeongeun’s face gradually blurred, then she continued as if holding back an outburst.
“They said he was found in a state of severe contamination yesterday and is in the isolated recovery room. I heard he was transferred to Seoraksan….”
“……."
“It seems he got caught up in a supernatural… disaster during his break.”
“Is that a story about our rookie?”
“…!”
Yeongeun and I turned our heads at the same time. There was the Team Leader of Jujak Team 2, Jang Heowoon’s boss at the Disaster Management Bureau, looking at us with a bitter smile.
Sigh…….
“Yeah. It can be a bit scary for rookie agents. It's strange when a colleague suddenly doesn't show up for work, right?”
“…….”
“But this is okay. That's life, and we just need to find a way again. The important thing is that he was rescued.”
Behind the glasses of the Team Leader of Jujak Team 2, from the Cleanup Squad, I could see the characteristic willpower of an agent.
But at the same time, I also felt a familiar fatigue and sadness.
……As if remembering the agents who ultimately couldn't be returned to their original forms.
‘Damn it.’
I held back a sigh and a curse.
Anyway, the fact that Jang Heowoon is in a treatment facility rather than a glass prison means his identity wasn't discovered. That's a relief….
“But look at what that guy brought back. Hey, Haegeum!”
“Uh?”
As the Jujak Team 2 Team Leader waved, a person walking from the other end of the hallway approached.
A team leader-level agent who had entered the theme park. It's Team Leader Haegeum of Hyunmoo Team 3.
‘T-Team Leader…!’
I almost choked.
“Ah. Rookies?”
“Ah, right. One friend who came in with our kid… and this is the new recruit for the Hyunmoo Team from this open recruitment.”
“Ah. That King of Destruction!”
…….
“I see Agent Choi has been hiding you away quite well, since this is our first time greeting each other. Nice to meet you.”
“Ah, hello…!”
I almost talked back, but it was rather fortunate.
I held back a groan and greeted Team Leader Haegeum.
In my head, our ‘employee dispatch deal’ was hurriedly passing by.
‘…It wouldn't have been suspicious only if I received a price for sending Mr. Jang Heowoon.’
So I received five jade pendants made at the Disaster Management Bureau from that team leader.
…Recalling Wiki’s description.
The jade pendants produced at the Baridegi Workshop were often treated as currency in supernatural phenomena.
I know they were produced for rituals, but I request permission for them to be released as agent-issued items.
Currency of ghost stories.
I don't think it would have been a big burden, but its use was certain.
“But I should greet our King of Destruction rookie agent properly. Here. Let's shake hands.”
“Yes……. T-thank you.”
Even without trying to shrink my shoulders, it happened semi-automatically. Agent Haegeum, the team leader of Hyunmoo Team 3, patted my back once, waved, and walked away.
I also breathed a sigh of relief inwardly and turned my gaze back to Yeongeun….
“Wait a minute.”
…….
“Haven't we met somewhere before? You look somewhat familiar.”
Goosebumps rose on my spine.
“A-actually, I greeted you once in the hallway in front of the waiting room…. You seemed tired, so you passed by without seeing me….”
“Oh?? Sorry. I've been busy lately. This wasn't something to blame that Choi guy for. There was an opportunity.”
Team Leader Haegeum scratched the back of her head and laughed.
“Well, as you know, I'm the Team Leader for Team 3. If you're bored on your way home, come visit the waiting room sometime. Got it?”
“T-thank you….”
Whew.
With that, Team Leader Haegeum left while talking with the Jujak Team 2 Team Leader.
“…….”
When I turned my head, Yeongeun, with a ‘What on earth is going on’ expression, met my eyes.
Really, a lot of things happened, Yeongeun….
And at 6 PM.
I finally clocked out.
‘Wow, please.’
I was glad it was the day shift.
The fact that there were no dispatches was a stroke of luck among misfortunes, but even though I desperately wanted to collapse and sleep more, I couldn't.
‘I have to do what I have to do.’
“…….”
I reached slightly into my inventory tattoo and touched the ‘to-do.’
The soft down of the plush doll tickles my fingertips.
Yes.
A plush doll sold at the souvenir shop of Cheerful Theme Park.
The original Good Friend; I succeeded in taking it out.
I used several tricks related to it, and I'll organize this again while performing the ritual… but one thing was important.
The point was that now I could summon Good Friend with a suitable medium in a perfectly suitable situation.
‘Let's do it.’
I broke into a cold sweat thinking that if I delayed any longer, I might see that mess from the Late-Night Talk Show again. I quickly opened the door to my motel room and went in.
But you see.
As soon as I opened the door and went in, someone was inside.
A lizard head.
“Mr. Roe Deer.”
……??
The familiar lizard face I'd spent the last six days with looks at me.
I almost rubbed my eyes.
“I- Manager Lee Jaheon??”
I looked outside the motel room once and then back inside, but no matter how many times I looked, it was Section Chief Lizard.
No…!
I hurriedly went into the motel room and carefully locked the door.
Could it be….
“Did you come here on Director Ho’s orders?”
“No.”
“Then how are you here…?”
“I've infiltrated.”
“…….”
Then you shouldn't be standing there so confidently…!
‘Director Ho probably knows we're in contact with each other anyway… but i-is this really okay?’
Is it okay to visit a spy's lodging like this? No, in the first place, I'm asking why he's sitting in someone else's motel room without a word as if it's perfectly natural.
“F-first… would you like to sit down?”
“Yes.”
I sat across from the lizard at the table with a bewildered face.
And I tried to explain my confusion….
“I see. However, I have visited to resolve a matter that is more important in terms of priority.”
Whew.
“I'm sorry, but I have something to do first.”
“What is it?”
“…….”
That is.
Well, Manager, you remember the talk show ghost story where you rescued me by firing shells?
Strictly speaking, I'm planning to call back the host who was the cause of that mess….
Is it right to say this? No, rather, would not saying it make me a fool with a dull sense of safety.
Feeling somehow swept away, I opened my mouth and explained the general situation.
Judging that he would understand it was a situation where I couldn't not call him.
“I see.”
As expected, Section Chief Lizard gave his positive approval once again.
However….
“Follow safety protocols during the ritual. I will be supervising.”
“…….”
He didn't seem to have any intention of leaving.
And so, I came to officially summon the Good Friend, Braun, while accompanied by Manager Lee Jaheon….
‘Is this… right?’
I'm going crazy.
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